Gaming Machine with Extended Payline and N-Sided Element

ABSTRACT

A gaming machine for the playing of a game of chance wherein an outcome of said game of chance is determined by a predefined one of a plurality of payline patterns of indicia displayed on a display means by a game control module; said payline patterns formed of a selection of elements of a matrix of columns and rows and wherein the number of said elements forming any one payline pattern is greater than the number of columns of said matrix.

The present invention relates to gaming machines and, more particularlyto a game played on gaming machines having at least one electronicdisplay in the form of a matrix simulating a plurality of spinningreels. In particular forms the matrix includes N-sided elements where Nis an integer other than 4.

BACKGROUND

Gaming or poker machines have become a major source of amusement anddiversion in such places as clubs, hotels and casinos in many parts ofthe world.

Traditionally such machines were mechanical devices where a number ofreels marked with a plurality of numbers or symbols could be made tospin randomly by the application of some mechanical input. If thesubsequent patterns of numbers or symbols displayed on the reels, whenthese returned to a rest state, corresponded to predetermined patterns,the machine would provide a prize or payout. Generally such gamingmachines have come to be regulated by government authorities as to theirnumber and in the manner in which the machines must return a percentageof the monetary turnover to the players.

The introduction of electronics, computers and electronic graphicaldisplays, has allowed a continual increase in the complexity andvariations of gaming machines and games while maintaining the basicconcept of the traditional machine.

Machines and games that offer novel and stimulating variations on thebasic game theme and environment are eagerly sought by the gamingindustry and there is consequently intense competition between machinemanufacturers to innovate.

Nevertheless the repetitive playing of even modern gaming machines canlead to boredom of the players with a consequent under-utilization ofmachines and increase in player dissatisfaction.

It is an object of the present invention to offer a variation which mayameliorate the above disadvantages.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION

Accordingly, in one broad form of the invention, there is provided agaming machine for the playing of a game of chance wherein an outcome ofsaid game of chance is determined by a predefined one of a plurality ofpayline patterns of indicia displayed on a display means by a gamecontrol module; said payline patterns formed of a selection of elementsof a matrix of columns and rows and wherein the number of said elementsforming any one payline pattern is greater than the number of columns ofsaid matrix.

Preferably said columns of said matrix are in the form of simulatedreels divided peripherally into a plurality of elements; each saidelement displaying an indicia.

Preferably said rows of said matrix are comprised of a number ofdisplayed aligned elements of each of said reels.

Preferably the number of said reels is five and the number of said rowsis three.

Preferably said simulated reels are caused to display a spinning motionduring a game; said reels coming to rest in a randomly selected positionunder control of said game control module so as to display threeelements of each reel.

Preferably the number of said elements defining said predefined one of aplurality of payline patterns is one greater than said number ofcolumns.

Preferably the number of said elements defining said predefined one ofsaid plurality of payline patterns lies in the range of one greater thansaid number of columns and the total of said elements in said matrix.

Preferably said plurality of payline patterns is indicated to a playerof said gaming machine by representations of said payline patterns on afront panel of said gaming machine.

Preferably said game control module randomly selects a payline patternfrom said plurality of payline patterns for each game played on saidgaming machine.

Preferably said game control module randomly selects a payline patternfrom said plurality of payline patterns; said payline pattern maintainedas a winning pattern until matched by a game played on said gamingmachine.

Preferably said selected payline pattern is indicated to a player ofsaid game when said reels have come to rest by highlighting saidelements corresponding to said selected payline pattern.

Preferably said selected payline pattern is indicated to a player ofsaid game when said reels have come to rest by a projected outline ofsaid elements corresponding to said selected payline pattern.

Preferably said projected outline is displayed on said display whilesaid reels are spinning.

Preferably a player of a game may pre-select a payline pattern andwherein, if said payline pattern matches a pattern of indicia of saidreels when come to rest, said player is awarded a prize.

Preferably said selected payline pattern of elements is arranged so thatin one column and one column only, at least two elements of saidselected payline pattern have a common edge.

Preferably said selected payline pattern of elements is arranged so thatin one row and one row only, at least two elements of said selectedpayline pattern have a common edge.

Preferably said selected payline pattern of elements is arranged so thatnone of said elements have a common edge.

Preferably said selected payline pattern of elements is arranged so thatall of said elements have at least one edge common with another one ofsaid elements.

Preferably said gaming machine is provided in addition to said displaymeans with a secondary display means; said secondary display meansadapted to the playing of a bonus game.

Preferably at least one bonus game is conferred on a player of saidgaming machine in the event of a winning outcome display of a main gameon said display means.

Preferably said gaming machine is one of a plurality of linked gamingmachines interactively linked to a jackpot system.

Preferably a jackpot prize is awarded by said jackpot system when playof a game on one of said gaming machines results in a pattern of indiciamatching a pre-selected payline pattern.

Accordingly, in a further broad form of the invention, there is provideda method for the awarding of a prize to a player of a gaming machineprovided with a display of indicia-bearing reels; said method includingthe steps of:

-   -   (a) selecting at random one of a plurality of predefined payline        patterns,    -   (b) spinning said reels and causing said reels to stop so as to        display a matrix of elements,    -   (c) comparing said display of a matrix of elements with selected        random one of said predefined is payline patterns,    -   (d) awarding a prize according if selected random one of said        predefined payline patterns corresponds to an at-rest        disposition of said indicia-bearing reels.

Preferably said predefined payline pattern comprises a number ofselected locations and indicia at least one greater than the number ofsaid reels.

Accordingly, in a further broad form of the invention, there is provideda method of awarding a jackpot prize to the player of a reel-basedgaming machine and wherein said gaming machine is one of a linkedplurality of gaming machines; said method including the steps of:

-   -   (a) a game controller of each said gaming machine selecting at        random one of a plurality of predefined payline patterns,    -   (b) spinning said reels of each said gaming machine and causing        said reels to stop so as to display a matrix of elements,    -   (c) comparing said display of a matrix of elements of each of        said gaming machines with selected random one of said predefined        payline patterns,    -   (d) awarding said jackpot prize if selected random one of said        predefined payline patterns corresponds to an at-rest        disposition of said indicia-bearing reels of one of said gaming        machines.

Preferably said jackpot prize increases incrementally according tomonitored volume of play on said linked plurality of said gamingmachines.

Accordingly, in a further broad form of the invention, there is provideda gaming machine and method of playing a gaming machine as substantiallyherein described and with reference to the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described withreference to the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a gaming machine and display arrangementaccording to a preferred embodiment of the invention.

FIGS. 2 to 16 are diagrammatic representations of patterns of paylinesaccording to preferred embodiments.

FIGS. 17 and 18 are diagrammatic representations of means of indicatinga particular payline pattern.

FIG. 19 is a front view of a gaming machine provided with a main displayand a secondary display unit.

FIG. 19 is a perspective view of a plurality of gaming machines linkedto a jackpot system.

FIG. 20 is a front view of a plurality of gaming machines linked to apayline selection unit,

FIG. 21 is a system of networked, dual monitor gaming machinesincorporating bonus games.

FIG. 22 illustrates an example of an offset symbol matrix suited for usewith alternative embodiments of the present invention; and

FIG. 23 illustrates element boundary shapes and symbols therein usablewith the embodiments of any of FIGS. 1 to 21.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1 is a representation of a gaming machine and game 10 according topreferred embodiments of the present invention in which an electronicdisplay unit 11 is configured under the control. of a game controlmodule (not shown) to display a game of chance for money. Display unit11 represents a number of spinning reels 13, each reel comprising aplurality of divisions around the notional reel periphery such that whenreels are at rest the display forms a matrix of columns, correspondingin number to the reels, and rows 14 corresponding to the divisions ofeach reel visible in the display.

In the particular preferred embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1, a 5 reelgame in which 3 divisions or elements of each reel are displayed when atrest, that is prior to the commencement of a game and at the end of agame, presents a matrix of 15 elements, each element corresponding toone of the divisions of a reel.

Each reel 13 displays in each of the reel divisions indicia which may bein the form of letters, numbers or symbols or a combination of these.During a play of a game, the reels are simulated to spin about theirnotional common axis, coming to rest as determined by a random numbergeneration process within the game control module. It is the pattern ofindicia then displayed within the matrix which determines if any, orwhich, of a number of offered prizes has been won by a player of thegame. This pattern of indicia is commonly known as a payline.

In the present preferred embodiments of the invention, the payline forat least some of the games played on the machine corresponds to apattern of indicia in which the number of discrete reel divisions, thatis elements of the matrix, making up a payline is larger than the numberof columns (that is reels) and wherein the elements may be configuredaccording to a number of ways. In at least some preferred embodiments ofthe invention the payline may comprise elements of any number betweenone greater than the number of columns and the total number of elementsof the matrix. Thus for a five reel and three row displayed matrix thenumber of elements making up a payline is in the range of six tofifteen. Paylines may consist of elements in a contiguous relationship,either by sharing adjoining edges or common corners. Alternatively,paylines may be made up of a mixture of contiguous elements andunconnected elements. In the following preferred embodiments paylinesare comprised of one more element than the number of columns or reels,thus for a five reel display a payline is made up of six elements.

In a first preferred form of a payline according to the invention, thenumber of elements making up a winning payline is one greater than thenumber of columns, and in one and one only of the columns, two elementsmust have a common edge. Examples of this form of payline may be seen inFIGS. 2 to 4.

In a second preferred form of a payline according to the invention, thenumber of elements making up a pay line is again one more than thenumber of columns but in this case in one and one only of the rows twoelements must have a common edge. Some examples of this form of paylinemay be seen in FIGS. 5 to 7.

In a third preferred form of a payline according to the invention, thenumber of elements making up a payline is also one more than the numberof columns but in this embodiment none of the elements may have a commonedge. Some examples of this form of payline may be seen in FIGS. 8 to10.

In a fourth preferred form of a payline according to the invention, thenumber of elements making up a payline remains one more than the numberof columns but in this embodiment every one of the elements must have acommon edge with at least one other element. Some examples of this formof payline may be seen in FIGS. 11 to 13.

In a fifth preferred form of a payline according to the invention, thenumber of elements making up a payline remains one more than the numberof columns but in this embodiment none of the elements may have an edgecommon with any other. Some examples of this form of payline are shownin FIGS. 14 to 16.

The payline pattern for any game is randomly selected by the gamecontrol module from a predefined number of possible payline patterns.These patterns are displayed on one of the front panels of the gamingmachine together with the prizes associated with each pattern. Thepayline patterns as defined above may be the only paylines for which thegaming machine confers prizes, or they may be additional bonus paylinesoperating in conjunction with more conventional paylines.

If at the end of a game, after the reels have come to rest, any one ofthe pre-defined payline patterns can be formed from the indicia thenshowing on the display, the display may indicate this for example byflashing those elements making up the pattern of the payline.

In at least one preferred embodiment of the invention, as a gamecommences, that is as the reels are set into simulated spinning motion,the payline pattern of divisions randomly selected for the game may beindicated for example, by an enhanced level of illumination asillustrated in FIG. 17 or by the projection of the element outlines asillustrated in FIG. 18. Thus the player is put into a state ofanticipation as to whether the indicia required to complete the paylinewill come to rest in the indicated elements.

In a further preferred embodiment the reels are first brought to rest,at which point the winning payline, if any is highlighted or itselements outlined.

In yet a further preferred embodiment, when a game ends the player isinvited to judge if he or she believes any one of a pre-defined numberof payline patterns displayed on a front panel of the gaming machinematches the status of the at-rest reel display. By pressing anappropriate control button on the machine control panel the patternselected by the player is projected onto the display and if correctlyassessed the appropriate prize awarded.

In a further preferred embodiment of the invention a player maypre-select a payline pattern and cause the selected pattern to beprojected onto the matrix. If the pattern of indicia on the reels atrest corresponds to the pre-selected pattern the player may be awarded aspecial prize.

In a further preferred embodiment of the invention as shown in FIG. 19 agaming machine 20 is provided with a secondary display unit 21 as wellas the main display unit 22. In this embodiment the main display unit 22is adapted for play of a main game in which simulated spinning reelsdetermine the configuration of a matrix 23 of elements displayingindicia as described previously above.

In this embodiment also, it is any one of a number of predefinedpaylines 24 displayed on a front panel of gaming machine 20 whichdetermines the outcome of the main game which may incorporate all thefeatures of the previously described embodiments. In at least onepreferred form of this embodiment a payline 25 selected by a player maybe prominently displayed on the secondary display unit 21.

A winning outcome of a main game may confer one or more bonus games on aplayer of the main game. The bonus game or games may be additional maingames playable on the main display unit 22 or may be a different form ofgame playable on the secondary display unit 21.

In yet a further preferred embodiment of the invention as shown in FIG.20, a plurality of gaming machines 30 are arranged side by side in aline or arc so as to allow each of the players (not shown) of themachines to view a common jackpot prize display unit 31. Each individualmachine 32 is provided with at least a main game display unit 33configured as previously described to simulate spinning reels during aplay of a game, and in which the reels when at rest display a matrix ofindicia displaying elements as a matrix. In this embodiment also, thewinning of a main game is determined according to one of a predefinedplurality of paylines as described in any of the above embodiments.

Each of machines 32 of the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 20 iselectronically linked to a jackpot control module 34 which monitors thevolume of play on each of the linked machines and displays anincrementing jackpot value 36 determined according to the combinedvolume of play on the linked machines.

A win of the jackpot prize may be triggered in a number of ways. Forexample, one or more particular configurations of a payline may beindicated on the front panel of each of the machines as jackpottriggering paylines. Alternatively, the triggering of the jackpot prizemay be dependent on the outcome of a bonus game conferred on the playerof a particular machine. In this example, players on adjoining machinesmay be made aware by means of the common display that a potentialtriggering of the jackpot is to commence on the machine offered thebonus game, thus adding interest for all the players.

In still a further preferred embodiment of the invention as illustratedin FIG. 21, a plurality of gaming machines 40 are linked to a paylineselection unit 41. Individual games on each machine 43 are played asbefore and are of the form described in the previous embodiments, thatis simulated spinning reels form a matrix of indicia when at rest andwinning paylines are defined as specific patterns of elements andindicia within that matrix. However in this preferred embodiment theparticular payline pattern which confers the winning of a prize to aplayer is selected at random from a selection of possible paylines bythe payline selection unit 41. The payline selection unit 41 causes thispattern to be displayed on the secondary display units 42 of each of thelinked machines 43 until one of the machines plays a game which achievesthe winning pattern. The payline selection unit then determines a newwinning payline pattern and displays the new pattern in the secondarydisplay units 42.

The player of the winning machine may play one or more bonus gamesdepending on the nature of the prize awarded and may play any such gameson the main display unit or as a special game on the secondary displayunit. Once any bonus games awarded for play on the secondary displayunit are exhausted the display reverts to control by the paylineselection unit to display the current winning payline pattern.

Gaming Machine with Extended Payline & N-Sided Elements

With reference to FIG. 22 there is illustrated an alternative matrix ofelements formed into, in this instance, four columns 111 and three rows112A, 112B, 112C. It will be observed that the previously describedmatrix 110 remains comprising, in this instance, four virtual reels,each displaying, when stopped, three symbols 113A, 113B, 113C when in astationary position.

Winning combinations of symbols 113A-C can be determined by alignment ofsymbols. For example, in the case of FIG. 22, paying lines 114 include asubstantially horizontal row of symbols 113A within row 112A.

It will be observed that, even though the matrix of symbols is notperfectly rectilinear the human eye can, nonetheless, discern alignmentsof symbols in rows and columns.

Whilst in the case of FIG. 22 the elements comprise N-sided elementswith N=4 it can be envisaged that the N-sided element, as illustrated inFIG. 23, can comprise different numbers of sides N. In the simplest casethe element comprises a circle (N=1). In more complex cases N=3(triangles), 5 (pentagon), 6 (hexagon), 7 (septagon), 8 (octagon), 9(nonagon), 10 (decagon), 11, 12, 13, 14 through to at least N=20.

The N-sided element 111A can include within its borders of sides agraphical symbol 114, the symbol 114 determining results of gamesincluding winning paylines.

In alternative forms the symbols 114 can be defined by the sides 115 ofelement 111A.

In this arrangement, as best seen in FIG. 23, sides 115, 116 are inparallel, spaced apart relationship.

The above describes only some embodiments of the present invention andmodifications, obvious to those skilled in the art, can be made theretowithout departing from the scope and spirit of the present invention.

1. A gaming machine for the playing of a game of chance wherein an outcome of said game of chance is determined by a predefined one of a plurality of payline patterns of indicia displayed on a display means by a game control module; said payline patterns formed of a selection of elements of a matrix of columns and rows and wherein the number of said elements forming any one payline pattern is greater than the number of columns of said matrix; adjacent elements of said matrix staggered in a horizontal direction, and wherein each element of said adjacent elements is bounded by six sides.
 2. The gaming machine of claim 1 wherein said columns of said matrix are in the form of simulated reels divided peripherally into a plurality of elements; each said element displaying an indicia.
 3. The gaming machine of claim 2 wherein said rows of said matrix are comprised of a number of displayed aligned elements of each of said reels.
 4. The gaming machine of claim 3 wherein the number of said reels is five and the number of said rows is three.
 5. The gaming machine of claim 2 wherein said simulated reels are caused to display a spinning motion during a game; said reels coming to rest in a randomly selected position under control of said game control module so as to display three elements of each reel.
 6. The gaming machine of claim 1 wherein the number of said elements defining said predefined one of a plurality of payline patterns is one greater than said number of columns.
 7. The gaming machine of claim 6 wherein the number of said elements defining said predefined one of said plurality of payline patterns lies in the range of one greater than said number of columns and the total of said elements in said matrix.
 8. The gaming machine of claim 1 wherein said plurality of payline patterns is indicated to a player of said gaming machine by representations of said payline patterns on a front panel of said gaming machine.
 9. The gaming machine of claim 1 wherein said game control module randomly selects a payline pattern from said plurality of payline patterns for each game played on said gaming machine.
 10. The gaming machine of claim 1 wherein said game control module randomly selects a payline pattern from said plurality of payline patterns; said payline pattern maintained as a winning pattern until matched by a game played on said gaming machine.
 11. The gaming machine of claim 9 wherein said selected payline pattern is indicated to a player of said game when said reels have come to rest by highlighting said elements corresponding to said selected payline pattern.
 12. The gaming machine of claim 9 wherein said selected payline pattern is indicated to a player of said game when said reels have come to rest by a projected outline of said elements corresponding to said selected payline pattern.
 13. The gaming machine of claim 12 wherein said projected outline is displayed on said display while said reels are spinning.
 14. The gaming machine of claim 2 wherein a player of a game may pre-select a payline pattern and wherein, if said payline pattern matches a pattern of indicia of said reels when come to rest, said player is awarded a prize.
 15. The gaming machine of claim 1 wherein said selected payline pattern of elements is arranged so that in one column and one column only, at least two elements of said selected payline pattern have a common edge.
 16. The gaming machine of claim 1 wherein said selected payline pattern of elements is arranged so that in one row and one row only, at least two elements of said selected payline pattern have a common edge.
 17. The gaming machine of claim 1 wherein said selected payline pattern of elements is arranged so that none of said elements have a common edge.
 18. The gaming machine of claim 1 wherein said selected payline pattern of elements is arranged so that all of said elements have at least one edge common with another one of said elements.
 19. A gaming machine according to claim 1 wherein said gaming machine is provided in addition to said display means with a secondary display means; said secondary display means adapted to the playing of a bonus game.
 20. The gaming machine of claim 19 wherein at least one bonus game is conferred on a player of said gaming machine in the event of a winning outcome display of a main game on said display means.
 21. (canceled)
 22. The gaming machine of claim 1 wherein adjacent elements in a column adjacent a first column are staggered in a vertical direction.
 23. The gaming machine of claim 1 wherein said elements are aligned vertically in columns in said matrix.
 24. (canceled)
 25. The gaming machine of claim 1 wherein each said element includes a symbol located within its border.
 26. The gaming machine of claim 21 wherein selected sides of adjacent elements are maintained in a parallel, spaced apart relationship.
 27. A gaming machine according to claim 1 wherein said gaming machine is one of a plurality of linked gaming machines interactively linked to a jackpot system.
 28. A plurality of linked gaming machines, each machine of the type claimed in claim 1 and wherein a jackpot prize is awarded by said jackpot system when play of a game on one of said gaming machines results in a pattern of indicia matching a pre-selected payline pattern. 29-43. (canceled) 